OUR LADY OF CZESTOCHOWA
The Black Madonna is known as the Queen of Poland. She has truly protected the Polish people, fought for them, and listened to their pleas over many centuries. The devotion to Our Lady of Częstochowa among Eastern Europeans is rooted in thankfulness for her care for them.
She has been a symbol of Polish nationalism, patriotism, and religious liberty. The Polish people have a particular affinity towards her, a sense of belonging as her children. The story of this icon has spanned the history of the Church and come more than once to her people’s aid, Just as in the icon, Mary always points the way to Christ, but does so by demonstrating his love through the protective gaze of a mother.
Many Polish children, from their earliest days of life, are taught the story about Our Lady of Czestochowa. A love and devotion to Our Lady is engrained in their hearts. Therefore, it is not strange that Mother Celine had this great love and devotion to Mary and taught the same to her daughters, Celine and Hedwig. It is no wonder then, that one of the earliest convents of the Sisters of the Resurrection was established in the city of Czestochowa on the actual “Al. Najsw, Panny Marii” street which leads directly to the miraculous Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa. This Shrine is visited by so many people throughout the year, including First Holy Communion classes, Confirmation classes, Graduating students preparing for their final exams, Religious Men and Women, Bishops and Church Groups making retreats. It seems the whole nation makes a pilgrimage to the Shrine to honor and pray to the Blessed Mother for the Feast of the Assumption of Mary on August 15.
OUR LADY OF OSTRA BRAMA, VILNO (Our Lady of Mercy)
Our Lady of Ostra Brama was honored by Mother Celine even as a young woman in 1853. That year brought a great change in her life. The Chludzinski’s (her family name) with their children left their estate in Laskowiczy and relocated to Vilnius. The Ostra Brama (Gate of Dawn) Shrine became Celine’s heaven and Our Lady of Mercy the confidante of her dreams and affairs. “Vilnius! How many memories in the Gate of Dawn! Full of carefree childhood and youth, and love of the Mother of God. Our Lady of Ostra Brama is the protector of my childhood and the peaceful years of my youth.” In the blaze of the world and the warmth of home, in the flickering lamp of Ostra Brama, she did not lose the way to Jesus, although God marked out for her a path she did not understand at the time – marriage.
This picture was placed above the Altar of our first home in Kety, Poland.
We believe that Mother Celine found the inspiration for the Cross worn by every final professed Sister of the Resurrection here at Ostra Brama, where on the inside of the Tabernacle door, a cross in this form is inscribed.
OUR LADY OF THE ANNUNCIATION
It was in Rome under the spiritual direction of Fr. Peter Semenenko, C.R. (Superior General of the Fathers of the Resurrection) that Hedwig made a retreat in order to discern what God wanted of her. The retreat ended on the Feast of the Annunciation to the Blessed Virgin Mary, March 25, 1881. It was in the evening, and the bells were ringing for the Angelus. Joyfully and firmly, she exclaimed: “Fiat mihi. Let it be done. I surrender myself to the Lord!” This painting of the Annunciation was given to Hedwig in 1884.
In Mother Celine’s NOTES AND JOTTINGS, under the date, March 20, 1884, we read: “We looked with Father at the painting of the Annunciation.” Later, on March 24 and 25, we read: “The Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Mother. Yesterday was a memorable day. Father and I offered the picture of the Annunciation to Hedwig. Today, Father’s Mass by this picture.” The artist, Arturo Noci (1874-1953) and his wife were present at that Mass.
THE MOTHER OF GOD OF HOPE (Mother of Grace)
This picture was given by Mother Celine, Foundress, to each Sister who was sent to America on January 19, 1900.
This Picture is an object of special adoration. Mary sits regally on a cloud, With a rainbow under her feet, crushing the head of the serpent and showing her child to the pleading faithful. At her feet is a boat sailing on the waves. In the boat are persons invoking her protection: religious men and women, a family with a child and: all representing the people of God whose way is lighted by her star. The boat flies a Marian with the words Col hail, our hope.
The child clutches the anchor dash a symbol of hope: the anchor, built and gyms are set in silver. This painting has little artistic value, but is worthy of attention because of its pious value.
MOTHER OF GOD OF SWARZEWO (Queen of the Polish Sea)
This shrine was especially dear to the heart of Blessed Alice Kotowska. When she received word that the school would be accredited, together with the young girls, she made a pilgrimage to Our Lady of Swarzewo. Blessed Alice composed the words for the dedication of the school to the Mother of God. This Act of Consecration was made on April 30, 1930. The prayer follows:
“Blessed Virgin Mary of Swarzewo, Queen of the Polish Sea, today we solemnly choose you as the Lady and Patroness of our school and place ourselves under your special protection. We wish to honor and fervently love you, and imitate your virtues. We therefore fervently ask you, our Blessed Patroness and Guardian, obtain for us from Your Son a living faith, fervent love and unwavering hope. Make us good daughters of Holy Mother Church and our Beloved Country. Guard its frontiers and Poland’s priceless treasure - the Sea! Grant the growth of the kingdom of Your Son in our Country. Grant also that the whole nation would love You fervently, Oh Queen of the Polish Sea. Amen.”
The school bore the name: Queen of the Polish Sea Private Middle School and High School for Girls in Wejherowo.
OUR LADY QUEEN OF APOSTLES
This painting was venerated by St. Vincenzo Pallotti and is found In the Church of Queen of Apostles in Rome, Italy.
It shows the Blessed Mother on the Feast of Pentecost together with other women and the Apostles. Mary is at the center of this painting with St. John and St. Peter kneeling at her feet.
The Congregation considers Mary as the Queen of all of our Apostles of the Resurrection, the lay associates.
OUR LADY OF LICHEN, POLAND
The 108 Blessed Polish Martyrs of World War II, including our Sister Alice Kotowska, are honored at the Basilica of Our Lady of Lichen in a special Chapel.
These martyrs, included bishops, priests, religious brothers, nuns, and laypeople, were beatified by Pope John Paul II in 1999. It is at this Marian Shrine that our Sisters participate in services in memory of the group and particularly our Sister Alice. Their feast day is celebrated annually on June 12.
OUR LADY OF LOURDES
Mother Hedwig had a special devotion to Our Lady of Lourdes to whom she attributes her religious vocation. Both Mother Celine and her daughter Hedwig set out on a pilgrimage to Lourdes, where they confirmed their desire to devote themselves to God through a religious vocation.
